Fundraisers to help pay medical bills of 21-year-old injured in crash

On June 16, the 21-year-old lost control of his car on a back road in Leesburg and hit a plank fence at an angle. Instead of the car breaking through the fence, the fence planks crashed through the car windshield. One penetrated the right side of his skull, causing a brain injury, another shattered his left arm and a third broke bones on the left side of his face, rupturing his eye and bruising the left side of his brain.

For weeks, the 2010 Eustis High School graduate lay in a coma at Orlando Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. Slowly, however, he's showing signs of recovery — a kick of the leg and a hand squeeze. Still, he has a long road ahead with months of rehabilitation treatments and therapies. Undeniably, his medical bills continue to be astronomical.

Next week, the Amvets Post 1992 in Mount Dora will host a fundraiser auction for Maas. The auction event, at 322201 Amvets Way, will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 28.

Cherrice Purvee, Maas'cousin, said the fundraiser isn't for future medical expenses but bills that are accumulating now. He needs the financial help right now, especially for rehab.

"This event is very important for Christian," Purvee said. "Not to just pay those medical bills that pile up but really for his recovery. We are working hard to make sure Christian has the financial resources he needs for the near future."

The more immediate financial problem comes from paying for rehab. JoLynn Hartman, Maas' mother, said he was set to enter a specialized rehab facility in Jacksonville when their insurance company told them he was not covered. Now, the only way he can get this much-needed rehabilitation is to come up with the cash — $2,000 a day or more. The family hopes the auction fundraiser, along with a poker run Oct. 12 in the Eustis area and a site on Gofundme.com, will bring in money so he can start on rehab.